Impression cylinder for intaglio printing presses



Sept. 8, 1953 w. F. HUCK 2,651,256 IMPRESSION CYLINDER FOR INTAGLIOPRINTING PRESSES Filed Jan. 17. 1949 Snuentor William 77' Huck I a 9gPatented Sept. 8, 1953 IMPRESSION CYLINDER FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSESWilliam F. Huck, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to Huck Company, ship NewYork, N. Y., a partner- Appllcation January 17, 1949, Serial N 0. 71,250

This invention relates in general to p inti machinery and moreparticularly to impression cylinders for intaglio printing presses.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an impressioncylinder of a novel design and construction, affording an effectivedegree of operating resiliency while preventing or minimizing thedeformation or flow of the rubber covering and the consequent earlydeterioration and breakdown of the impression cylinder itself.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an impressioncylinder particularly designed and adapted to assure a more uniform,pressure-resisting surface, a longer life for the cylinder itself, and asubstantial reduction in impairment and breakage of the rubber coveringof the cylinder and of the webbeing printed.

Another object is to provide an impression cylinder of the kindindicated with a novel pressure and distortion-resisting coveringconcentrically encircling the core of the cylinder.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedintaglio impression cylinder having means to assure a more uniformprinting surface, a minimum of surface distortion during operation, anda saving in cost and labor by the elimination of the blanketscustomarily employed between the coacting printing and impressioncylinders.

In the operation of intaglio printing presses, where extremely highpressures are employed, it is essential that means he provided to assurea uniform contact of the paper with the surface of the printing orplate-carrying cylinder. The use of rubber covered impression cylindersin intaglio printing hitherto has proven more or less unsatisfactorysince the local displacement or flow of the rubber covering at the lineof contact between the printing and impression cylinders, set upinternal stresses and strains in the said rubber covering that resultedin its comparatively early breakdown. In view of this fact, blankets aregenerally employed between the printing and impression cylinders in thistype of printing. However, the use of blankets entails considerableadditional cost of operation, and in practice, an increased difficultyof handling during printing operations.

The salient feature of the present invention is the provision ofan'impression cylinder having a core covered by a multiple layer ofrubbercoated wire cables which are embedded and vulcanized-in rubbercomposition that fills all interstices between the adjacent portions ofthese "cables. This design and construction, as will be impressioncylinder and that 4 Claims. (01. 101407) explained more fully in theensuing paragraphs, limits the displacement or flow of the rubbercovering, thereby reducing the distortion and heat encountered inconventional type rubber covered impression cylinders, and consequentlypermitting its use in intaglio printing with the added ease of operationafforded by the elimination of the cumbersome blankets. Although theinvention is particularly designed and adapted for the improvement ofintaglio printing, it is to be understood that the improved impressioncylinder is equally adapted for use in any of the printing fieldsrequiring the use of a flexible and resilient covering over a rigidcore.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational and. partly diagrammaticview of adjacent portions of an intaglio printing press to which anembodiment of the invention has been applied;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of the novel impression cylinder in itsnormal operating position between the printing and pressure-applyingcylinders, and showing the paper web between the nip of the impressionand printing cylinders;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of theimpression cylinder shown in Figure 1, and disclosing its novel pressureand distortionresisting structure; and

Fig. 4 is a composite and diagrammatic view showing the relativedeformation of the surface and adjacent inner portions of the improvedof a conventional type, rubber-covered impression cylinder, undersimilar pressure applied through a printing cylinder.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar characters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in the several views of the preferred formof the invention, the numeral ll designates generally the frame of aprinting machine of the intaglio type. On the frame H, a printing orplate-carrying cylinder I2 is rotatably mounted and driven from a shaft[3 through the intermediary of the meshing gears l4, I5. The shaft I 3,in turn, is connected to and driven in the direction of the arrow fromthe general drive (not shown) of the printing press.

1 The impression cylinder l6 embodying the present invention, has itsjournals l1, l8 rotatably confined in a horizontal plane, as seen inFigure 1, between bearings, as at I9, 20. M ment of the impressioncylinder in a vertical plane is permitted by this arrangement in orderto vary the pressure upon the web and plate cylinder, as describedhereinafter.

The web of paper W which is to be printed, is operatively pressed by theimpression cylinder against the printing or plate-carrying cylinder l2,while travelling in the direction of the arrow superimposed thereon. Theweb W, it will be observed, partly encircles the impression cylinderwhich thereby maintains it on firm operative contact with the printing,intaglioed surface of the cylinder [2 and under the desired pressure.

The impression cylinder 16' is engaged on its upper surface by apressure-applying or backingup roller 2!, having end journals, as at 22,turnably supported in bearings, as at 23. The bearings 23, only one ofwhich is illustrated, are secured in a pair of similar lever arms 24,swing ingly supported on fulcrum pins, as at 25, fastened to the frameH. Each lever arm or bar 24, only one of which is shown, has a pin orstud shaft 26 at its'outer end,iand to which the adjacent end of apiston rod 21 is turnably secured. The piston rod 21 is reciprocatinglyarranged in a pressure cylinder 28 fastened to the frame H and adaptedto be supplied with fluid under pressure from a pipe 29 connectedthereto and having a pressure-controlling valve 38; Thepressure-applying roller 2! serves to apply a variable pressure againstthe impression cylinder ldwhich in turn forces graved or intaglioedsurface or plates of the printing cylinder l2 in order to receive aprinting impression therefrom.

In accordance with a salient feature of this invention, the impressioncylinder 18 includes a body portion or core 31' formed of any suitablematerial, such as steel, and having two circumferentia1 flanges 32, 33at its opposite ends from which the journals I1, 8 directly extend. The

inner side of each flange3 l, 32, as best shown in Figure 3, is shapedto provide a sloping or shelving surface, as at 32a, for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter. Encircling the body portion or core 3i andpositioned between the flanges 32, 33, is the novel cylinder coveringconforming to .this invention and indicated in its entirety. at 34.

The cylinder covering 34 has tapering or sloping endportions 35, 36.

A circumferential recess or well 31 is provided between the flanges 32,33. This recess 31, which overlies the body portion of the impressioncylinder l5, accommodates a layer of bonding rubber or materialofequivalent characteristics, indicated generally at 38 and occupyingthe bottom or innermost portion of the circumferential recess 31.Vulcanized to and superimposed upon this layer of bonding rubber is asecond layer of rubber 39. Over these two layers of rubber andencircling the core 3! is a rubber-covered wire cable, indicatedgenerally at 40 that is tightly wrapped thereabout in such wise as toprovide a plurality of successive layers or windings, as at Ma. Asviewed in cross-section in Figure 3, it will be observed that eachoverlying layer of cable 40 has its coils or windings in staggered oroffset relation with respect to the vertical axes of the coils orwindings of the layer immediately thereunder. This arrangement minimizesthe tendency of any coil or winding to shift its position laterallywhile affording a plurality of triangular or V-shaped spaces orinterstices a at 41, between the adjacent layers of coils to accommodatethe mass of bonding rubber, indicated generally at 42, that fills up thesaid interstices of the superimposed coils. The sloping the paper web Wagainst the ensides 32a of the flanges 32, 33 serve to facilitate thepositioning of the successive windings in the staggered relation shownand for the purpose indicated above. The number of overlying layers orrows of the rubber-covered wire coils may be varied to suit individualneeds. In the present instance, four layers, by way of example, areillustrated. The alternate layers of coils and bonding rubberinterspersed therebetween, it is to be understood, are built up until adiameter approximating that of the flanges 32, 33 is reached. It mayalso be pointed out that, if preferred, coils of bare wire may besubstituted for the rubber-covered cable 40, and alternated with layersof rubber yulcanized thereto to the desired thickness. 5

In further accordance with this invention, the upper layers of thecovering 34 are reinforced with a-concentrically wound strip 43 ofstrong woven material, such as canvas or metal cloth, which is. embeddedin and between concentric layers. of the bonding rubber. These outer,concentric layers of rubber and woven cloth, it is to be understood,assure a smooth, uniform surface over the inner layers of cable, so thatunevenness of pressure during the printing operations, which mightotherwise occur, is substantially eliminated. The surface of thecylinder covering 34 is now suitably finished to the exact sizerequired.

Although for convenience in manufacture, one continuous rubber-coveredwire cable is preferably employed; it is to be understood that, ifdesired, a plurality of individual cables maybe used and wrapped aboutthe circumference of the body portion of the impression cylinder toprovide the successive staggered coils or windings illustrated.

In order to more fully comprehend the diiferences in function andoperation between a conventional type, rubber-covered impressioncylinder, herein designated by the letter C, and the improved impressioncylinder it of this invention, the contrasted structures of thecomposite view in Figure 4 should now be examined. In thislast-mentioned figure, the printing cylinder i2 is being applied withconsiderable pressure to the periphery of the conventional impressioncylinder C shown in the upper half of the figure and above the line ofdemarcation L. Below this demarcation line, the printing cylinder 12 isbeing applied with equal pressure to the improved impression cylinder 16that conforms to the precepts of thisinvention.

Referring to the conventional type impression cylinder C, the innermetal core 45 thereof is encircled by a comparatively thick layer ofrubber 46, as customary. This rubber covering 46 is engaged by therotating printing cylinder l2 under the heavy pressure mentioned above.This pressure has created an arcuate recess or pocket, as at 41', in therubber covering 46 at the line of contact, and has displaced or causedto flow the circumferential, adjacentv portions of the Said covering,the lines of stress anddisplacement of the rubber material beingindicated diagrammatically by the dash and dotted lines, as at 48, andthe resultant deformation of the rubber material, by the full lines, asat 49.

Further inspection of the composite view of Figure 4, will disclose,that certain portions of the upper layers of the rubber 46 areforced toflow outwardly or radially-to a considerable extent, while otherportionsof the rubber layers are compressed and constricted. In thelatter case, the

distance of the core 45of the .conventional im-' pression cylinder Cfrom the periphery of the printing cylinder [2, is materially reduced.The net result of this displacement and deformation is to create acomparatively large area of contact, as indicated by the arcuate,recess-indicating line 47, between the rubber covering 46 oftheconventional-type cylinder C and the printing cylinder l2, wherebythe contact pressure per square inch is substantially reduced. Thisreduction of effective contact pressuremilitates against good results inintaglio printing, and often requires the application of increasedpressure which in turn aggravates the'further' flow and deformation ofthe rubber covering. These results, in combination with the heat andfriction engendered during the operation of printing, makes inevitablethe premature breakdown of the rubber covering of the conventional typeimpression cylinder.

It is of interest to note that the production of heat and thedeformation and breakdown of conventional type rubber coverings onimpression cylinders, is similar in many respects to the destructiveefiects produced in an underinflated tire on a travelling motor vehicle.As a further consequence, it may be pointed out that the outwarddisplacement or bulging of the rubber covering causes a pronouncedfrictional engagement between the cylinder covering and the surface ofthe paper web which, in view of the extreme pressures employed, isdetrimental to and a prolific source of breakage of the said web.

Referring now to the operating conditions shown beneath the horizontalline of demarcation L, and wherein the improved impression cylinder I6is employed, the surface of the latter is in compressive engagement withthe printing cylinder I2 at the line or area designated I 2a. In thisinstance, substantial circumferential flow or displacement of the rubbercomponent of the covering 46 is prevented or minimized by the bondedengagement between the rubber and the concentric layers of wire cablesaround the core 3|. The flow or displacement reaction of the rubber tothe pressure of the printing cylinder [2 results in a shearing stressdistributed along the surface of the many layers of coils of the wirecables or metal cloth employed; and these stresses or forces are therebytransferred into the steel or whatever other wire component is used forthe reinforcement of the said cables or material. In this manner, thetendency to displacement or flow of the rubber of the impressioncylinder is limited to a comparatively small amount, as indicated by thesinuous or wavy lines 40a that indicate the comparatively slight changeor deformation from the original, straight, radially extending, dash anddotted lines of the sectioned portions of the cylinder l 6. Comparisonof the upper half with the lower half of Figure 4, discloses that theflow or displacement of the rubber covering has been substantiallyreduced, while the strength of the covering, as a whole, has beenmaterially increased. Breakage of the paper web, as pointed out above,is minimized, and deterioration and breakdown of the rubber component ofthe cylinder is correspondingly decreased.

The function and general mode of operation of the invention has beensubstantially indicated above, but it may be again emphasized that byeliminating the use of blankets customarily employed in high pressureintaglio printing, and by providing an impression cylinder that makespossible the direct and elficient application of the impression cylinderto" the web, thereby prolonging. the lifeof rollers designed originallyfor lower pressures andnow in use, a reduction in cost of equipment andmaintenance, and a substantial gain in ease of operation of the intagliopress as a whole is achieved.

5' It is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to somemodification. and change without departing from the spirit or essentialattributes thereof,. and it is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, reference being had to ...the appended claims rather thanto the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an impression cylinder of the kind described, a body portion,means at either end of the body portion and providing therewith acircumferential recess, said means including a pair of flanges, each ofsaid flanges being disposed in angular relation with respect to the saidbody portion, a flexible covering arranged within the recess, saidcovering including a bottom layer of rubber directly engaging and bondedto the body portion, a layer of rubber composition superimposed upon andattached to the first mentioned layer of rubber, a rubber covered wireembedded within said rubber composition and encircling the body portionin staggered layers of windings, and means including additional rubberand woven material for reinforcing the flexible covering and providing auniformly smooth surface thereon.

2. An impression cylinder for intaglio printing presses and comprising abody portion, flanges arranged in spaced relation on and angular-1y withrespect to the body portion, a rubber-covered wire arranged between theflanges and about the body portion, said wire being disposed in aplurality of layers of windings about the body portion, each of saidlayers of windings being superimposed on but ofiset with respect to thevertical axes of the layers of windings thereunder, woven materialencasing the outermost layer of said windings, and rubber compositionmaterial arranged between the woven material and the said outermostlayer of windings.

3. In an impression cylinder of the kind described, a body portion, acircumferential recess formed on the body portion, a flange arranged atone end of the body portion, a second flange arranged at another end ofthe body portion, bonding composition superimposed on the body portionand between the flanges, .a, wire encircling the body portion and seatedon the bonding composition, said wire being continuously covered withrubber composition and disposed in staggered layers of windings, saidlayers being located between the said first and second mentionedflanges, a sloping surface formed on an inner portion of each of saidflanges and efi'ective to maintain an adjacent winding in apredetermined position, and woven material encircling an outermost layerof said wire and providing an exterior smooth surface for the impressioncylinder.

4. In an impression cylinder of the kind described, a body portion, a.recess arranged circumferentially on the body portion, a flange arrangedat one end of the body portion, a second flange arranged at another endof the body portion, a wire wrapped about the body portion and disposedthereover in a, plurality of layers of windings, said windings beingarranged in stag- 'geree relation end providing substantially tri-'angulalr -shaped interstices; bonding material disposed in saidinterstices, a, sloping surface formed on an inner surface of eachflange and effective to maintain an vadjacent winding in a predeterminedposition andwithin the said re-' eess, woven material enciroling anoutermost layer of the windings and providing an exterior smooth surfacefor the said impression cylinder; and rubber composition materialarranged between the woven material and outermost'layer of windings;

WILLIAM F. BUCK.

Bet'eieiio'sfiited in the fii of this patent" UNITED. STATES PATENTSNumber V 712,099

Number 7 Name Date Severy' Oct. 28, 1902 Moon 1 Mar. 8, 1921 Smith' Mar.8, 1921 Breyer Feb. 25, 1941 May July 20, 1943 Bacon; June 1, 1948FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date i 2 Great Britain Feb. 18, 1915

